Writer Walks 60 Minutes Daily for a Month, Gains Energy

Jocelyn Solis-Moreira loved strength training but avoided cardio like the plague. Most days, her step count barely cracked 1,000 steps, with her only real movement coming from her commute and occasional trips to the coffee machine.

Then she tried the 6-6-6 walking challenge, a viral TikTok trend built around consistency rather than weight loss promises. The routine is simple: six minutes of warmup stretches, 60 minutes of brisk walking, and six minutes of cooldown stretching, ideally at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m.

Physical therapist Nick LeClair explains the method behind the numbers. The warmup eases your body into movement, the steady walk builds endurance, and the cooldown helps recovery so you actually stick with it long term.

Solis-Moreira started her challenge on November 22, braving freezing winter mornings at 6 a.m. That first hour-long walk logged 6,240 steps and 2.88 miles. The day before? Just 609 steps total.

The cold eventually drove her indoors, where she paced hallways to confused looks from family members. Her step counts during the 60-minute sessions ranged from 4,200 to 6,300 steps, but something more important was happening.

After every walk, she felt immediate energy. Morning walks erased grogginess completely. Evening walks pulled her out of the post-work slump.

Why This Inspires

The real transformation wasn't about the steps themselves. Starting each day having already accomplished one goal created momentum that carried through everything else.

Solis-Moreira found herself seeking out more opportunities to walk throughout the day. Her daily totals climbed to between 8,000 and 12,000 steps regularly. One day she hit 17,190 steps—a number she'd only reached before while on vacation in Japan.

Kinesiology professor Michael Wong notes that time-based routines work better for many people than vague step count goals. The 6-6-6 challenge gives people a simple, predictable structure they can actually follow.

The key is making the walks brisk, says physical therapist Zach Smith. That pace gets your heart rate into zone two, which research shows is ideal for cardiovascular health.

Solis-Moreira's experience proves what experts already know: consistency beats intensity when it comes to building lasting habits. Sometimes the best workout isn't the hardest one—it's the one you'll actually do every single day.